The Joint Tribes’ Council Manipur (JTCM) announced a total shutdown of National Highway 37 in Imphal on Friday, demanding the unconditional release of five Naga women arrested by a CRPF CoBRA team in Noney district. The shutdown is effective immediately.
The council condemned what it called the illegal, biased and unjust arrest of Rose Kamei, Stella Thaimei, Khamsinliu Phaomai, Kumtharla Kamei and Ellen Kamei. It described the women as peaceful and innocent, labeling the arrest a cowardice and a direct assault on the democratic rights of the Naga people.
JTCM also highlighted the state’s failure to deliver justice for six Naga men whose bodies were allegedly murdered and mutilated. It accused Indian and Manipur governments of targeting Naga Village Guards and civilians in Naga‑inhabited areas, a pattern that has deeply hurt the sentiments of the Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei and Inpui communities.
In response, the council will prohibit all vehicle and goods movement on NH‑37 and halt centrally sponsored government projects within its jurisdiction. It demands the immediate release of the five women and warns of stringent action if they are not freed. The council holds the CRPF CoBRA team, the state government and the Government of India responsible for any consequences. The move comes amid an intensified economic blockade by the United Naga Council over the killing of six Naga men, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on national highways, including in Noney district.
